About

The Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya marks the spot where prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment when sitting under the Bodhi tree, and became Gautam Buddha. It’s an important religious centre for Buddhists. The original temple is believed to have been built in the time of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century, BCE. Subsequent construction during the 5th or 6th century CE. The temple fell into disuse and ruin after centuries of neglect and disrepair, when it was discovered by JD Beglar in the late 19th century. It was repaired and restored to its current state by the Archaelogical Survey of India, using images excavated at the site. The temple features a 55 meter pyramidal spire rising above a square base, with four smaller pyramidal spires at the four corners of the base. The temple complex marks six other spots where the Buddha is supposed to have rested, reuminated, broken his fast, contemplated, and sermonized during his long penance at the spot.